Stock Market & Financial Investment News

Citigroup CEO says has made changes to people, process for next CCAR submissionCorbat said the company was very disappointed about its last CCAR denial and has made some changes to the people and process its using for its next CCAR submission. The CEO added that CCAR and capital return is at the top of the firm's list of priorities. Comments from Citigroup CEO Michael Corbat speaking at the Sanford C. Bernstein Strategic Decisions conference.

On The Fly: Closing WrapStocks on Wall Street opened in negative territory with time running out for Greece to reach an extension of its bailout agreement. The morning was filled with headlines from both Greek and eurozone finance leaders, many of which indicated that prospects for a deal looked grim. When reports surfaced that an agreement on an extension had been reached the Dow took off and hit its first new high of 2015. The S&P 500 followed to its own new high and the Nasdaq continued to close in on the 5,000 level. ECONOMIC EVENTS: In the U.S., Markit's flash PMI rose to 54.3 in February, versus the consensus forecast for a preliminary reading of 53.6 for the month. In Europe, the Eurogroup and Greece reached a tentative deal for an extension of the current EFSF Master Financial Assistance Facility Agreement for up to four months. The deal is predicated on Greek authorities presenting a first list of reform measures, based on the current arrangement, by the end of Monday. Also, the Eurozone flash composite PMI came in at 53.5, versus expectations for a reading of 53. The services PMI was better than expected, while the manufacturing PMI was lower than expected. COMPANY NEWS: Deere reported Q1 earnings per share of $1.12 and revenue of $6.38B, which beat consensus forecasts of 84c and $5.59B, respectively. However, Deere said company equipment sales are projected to decrease about 17% for fiscal 2015 and now sees net income to be about $1.8B, which is down from the company's prior net income outlook of $1.9B. Analysts at Wells Fargo calculate that the implied EPS guidance from Deere dropped to $5.25 from $5.50. Consensus for FY15 EPS prior to Deere's report was $5.51. Shares of the farm, construction and forestry equipment maker rose 72c, or 0.79%, to $92.43 following this morning's report. MAJOR MOVERS: Among the notable gainers was National Bank of Greece (NBG), whose shares trading in New York jumped 35c, or 21.74%, to $1.96 after the Greek aid extension deal was negotiated. Also higher was Springleaf (LEAF), which gained $4.40, or 12.88%, to $38.57 after Reuters reported that the company has beaten out rival bidders and is in advanced talks to buy consumer finance unit OneMain Financial from Citigroup (C) for more than $4B. Two stock that dropped after their earnings reports prompted multiple analyst downgrades were Noodles & Company (NDLS), which plunged $8.84, or 31.87%, to $18.90, and Rocket Fuel (FUEL), which fell $3.95, or 26.74%, to $10.82. INDEXES: The Dow rose 154.67, or 0.86%, to 18,140.44, the Nasdaq gained 31.27, or 0.63%, to 4,955.97, and the S&P 500 advanced 12.85, or 0.61%, to 2,110.30.

NY AG says Santander Bank to adopt new policies regarding use of ChexSystemsNew York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced that Santander Bank, N.A. (SAN) has agreed to adopt new policies governing its use of ChexSystems, a consumer-reporting agency that screens people seeking to open checking or savings accounts. Santanderís new policies are expected to allow thousands of additional New Yorkers and consumers nationwide to open bank accounts by September 30. The change comes amid concerns that screenings by ChexSystems and other consumer-reporting agencies, which are used by most of the nationís banks, adversely affect lower-income applicants and force them to turn to high-cost alternative financial services like check-cashing outlets. With this agreement, Santander now joins Capital One (COF) and Citibank (C) as the third bank to commit to overhaul its use of ChexSystems. The three banks operate a combined 613 branches across New York State and 2,822 branches nationwide.

Citi confirms retirement of global consumer banking head Manuel Medina-MoraIn a filing, Citigroup said that on February 18, Manuel Medina-Mora, Citiís Co-President and CEO, Global Consumer Banking, submitted a notice of retirement to Citi. The effective date of the retirement is June 1.

Citi's head of consumer banking set to retire in June, WSJ reportsCitigroup co-president and head of consumer banking, Manuel Medina-Mora, is planning to retire in June, The Wall Street Journal reports, citing memos sent by Medina-Mora and Citigroup CEO Michael Corbat. Medina-Mora is expected to stay with the bank as the non-executive chairman of Banamex. Citigroup plans to name a new head of the consumer bank "in the near future." Reference Link

Citi announces $100b, 10-year commitment to finance sustainable growthCiti announced a landmark commitment to lend, invest and facilitate a total of $100B within the next 10 years to finance activities that reduce the impacts of climate change and create environmental solutions that benefit people and communities. Citiís previous $50B goal was announced in 2007 and was met three years early in 2013. With this $100B initiative, Citi will build on its leadership in renewable energy and energy efficiency financing to engage with clients to identify opportunities to finance greenhouse gas reductions and resource efficiency in other sectors, such as sustainable transportation.